N.G. Goldfields Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

The Stork has not neglected the famous gold fields of New Guinea in his round of visits. Last month Mrs. Ian Dickson, wife of the medico at Wau, Mrs. J. Bannigan, of Edie Creek, and Mrs.

Carter, of Wau, received bonny wee sons, and in champagne (50/- per bottle) the health of the new heirs has been enthusiastically toasted throughout the goldfields.

“Guiding Light,” the racehorse over which there was so much trouble at the Wau Easter meeting, is being raffled at £1 per ticket.

Dr. Brennan and Dr. Sinclair have been making an inspection of the goldfields in N.G. since the recent outbreak of typhoid; and as a result the Government have issued a proclamation that every person entering the Territory must be inoculated.

Failing to do so, the penalty is £100.

The construction of the new Wau-Edie Creek road has at last commenced. The Administrator recently paid a visit of inspection to the route of the proposed Salarhaua-Wau road.

Mr. “Nobby” Clarke, one of the most popular men at Edie Creek has been holidaying at Manly, Sydney, and he returned by last Macdhui, with his wife and small daughter Heather. Mrs. Clarke is a sister of Mr. Dave Lyall, of the famous “El Dorado” mine.

It is a far cry from the days of King Solomon to 1934. In the land that recently witnessed grue some cannibal feasts, are now enacted the mys terious rites connected with Masonry. To-day, Wau has its first Masonic Temple, and when the brethren desire to be present, 'planes are re quisitioned and the devotees fly in from the various scattered parts of this western end of the Man dated Territory.

Mr. Brian Lane, of Day Dawn, Edie Creek, has been in hospital for many weeks with typhoid fever, but is now happily on the road to recovery.

“Old” Otto Rossiter, too, has been laid low for several weeks.

In addition to a talkie theatre, racecourse, library and Masonic Temple, Wau now has added an up to-date skating rink, and by a recent steamer dozens of roller skates left for the men of Morobe.

We certainly are making progress in this corner of the globe!